Last updated: September 2026 · By The Hatloom Team
Quick answer: A fedora has a wide brim (5–8 cm) and a tall, creased crown — the most versatile and formal of the three. A trilby is a fedora’s smaller cousin: a short, upturned brim and lower crown, better for casual wear and smaller faces. A Panama is a lightweight woven-straw hat (usually fedora-shaped) made for summer heat. Fedora = year-round classic; trilby = casual; Panama = summer.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Fedora | Trilby | Panama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brim width | Wide (5–8 cm), snappable | Narrow (2–3 cm), upturned | Medium, fedora-style |
| Crown | Tall, pinched, creased | Shorter, tapered | Tall, creased |
| Material | Wool/fur felt or straw | Felt, tweed, or straw | Woven toquilla straw |
| Season | Year-round | Year-round, casual | Summer only |
| Formality | Smart to formal | Casual to smart-casual | Smart-casual, occasions |
| Best for | Versatility, larger faces | Casual looks, smaller faces | Heat, travel, summer weddings |
The key differences in plain terms
Which one should you buy?
Many people own a felt fedora for autumn/winter and a Panama for summer. Browse all hats.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Panama hat a type of fedora?
Essentially, yes. A Panama uses a fedora-style shape (creased crown, snap brim) but is hand-woven from toquilla straw for summer. “Panama” refers to the straw material and weave, not the shape.
What is the main difference between a fedora and a trilby?
Brim width. A fedora has a wide, snappable brim; a trilby has a short brim turned up at the back. Trilbies are smaller, more casual, and sit further back on the head.
Which is more formal, a fedora or a trilby?
A fedora. Its wider brim and taller crown read as smarter and dressier, while a trilby is casual to smart-casual.
Are Panama hats made in Panama?
No. Genuine Panama hats are woven in Ecuador. They got the name from travellers who bought them while passing through Panama in the 1900s.
